We are well into the school summer holidays, but keeping the children busy is still a hard a task as ever, and when you're on a budget, it can be difficult to entertain the family but still being creative.
Parenting on Female First
YourWealth.co.uk offer advice and tips on keeping costs of activities under control but still allowing yourself and the kids that little treat that we all deserve every now and again. The website is available as an app for a smart phone, which allows you to access it on the go and you can keep up-to-date with your spending. YourWealth has many channels on its website which include insurance, savings, mortgages and pensions.
Toby Hughes, founding director, YourWealth.co.uk, commented: “A few days into the holiday and many parents will already have heard 'I'm bored, what can we do today.' Striking the balance between entertaining them and not spending a fortune isn't always easy. As well as making the most of what's available for free it can help to set a budget and of course to keep a regular eye on outgoings to stick to it (or at least within an affordable distance of it!)."
He added: “Using an app on your phone, like YourWealth ‘Money Hub’ can make it even easier to keep track of things. Parents can then easily see where they can put a little money aside or cut back on other spending to cover costs ensuring the school holidays don’t break the bank.”
Five top tips for saving this summer holiday
1- Look for vouchers and deals online, there are often plenty of 2 for 1 or 50 per cent off offers to be found for theme parks, the cinema, restaurants and other activities.
2- The internet also provides a great place to find out about free events and activities in your community, or check out local community centres for more information.
3- Booking in advance can help cut the cost of travel, as can avoiding travel at peak times. Depending on how much you travel a family railcard, or other travel deal might be worth considering.
4- Careful budgeting and planning can help ensure that you don’t overspend. A packed lunch can easily replace that expensive restaurant meal and buying water bottles in bulk before you travel, rather than buying individual bottles on the move, could save you money.
5- Free entry museums, galleries and other local attractions can be fun for kids too and cinemas are often cheaper to visit during the day.